Spurred by a petition from two representatives of the Colchester Area Relief Effort Backpack Lunch Program, Colchester will soon review its insurance options for use of city property.

The petition, which requested use of the city hall’s canopy area, raised questions about how the insurance would be handled for such an event. City Attorney Diane Diestler pointed out that CARE would have to add Colchester under its insurance policy according to the city’s insurance agent.

Alderman Robert Bisby asked if every event that would be held on city property, including small events held by private individuals, would require insurance documentation.

“I had discussed with (the insurance agent) in situations in which an organization was needing that request,” Diestler said. “If you have requests coming from individuals, I’m not sure what she would require of the city or the individual so that’s something we need to follow up and contact her about.”

Alderman Frances Welch commented that the CARE board had not yet made a decision as to how the lunch program would be handled, but noted the organization does have insurance.

The power to make a decision on whether or not the canopy will be used for the program was granted to the committee of the whole by the council.

Doug Erickson, associate at Benton and Associates Inc., said that The Voice incorrectly reported in a July 7 story that the city would be receiving less Motor Fuel Tax this year.

Colchester will still be receiving the same amount of MFT from the state, but will be spending less of it due to the upcoming sewer project that will affect city roads during the construction period.

“What we’re thinking is why, especially when we have a big sewer project coming up with big equipment on those roads, would we put a seal coat on them when we’re going to tear them up again,” Erickson said. “So we’re only going to do one or two streets on the east side to kind of build up that road, then we’ll bank that money until next year… and have a lot of money to go after and deal with (the streets).”

The city council adopted the MFT resolution to that end.

Also OK'd was an agreement with Danny Bice Plumbing that would allow for a one-time renewal agreement this year for up to $2,000 each for emergency sewer repairs, in accordance with state law.

Alderman Catherine Louderman inquired about what would have to be done to allow for payment regarding mowing services that Mayor Danny Bice had performed. Diestler recommended that the city pursue outside contractors or use city employees when dealing with jobs outside Bice’s scope of mayor and plumber.

Page 2 of 2 - Closure of city streets around the city park to accommodate an upcoming concert hosted by the First Christian Church at 7 p.m. on July 26 was approved pending a recommendation by Colchester Police Chief Dave Bland.

A resolution was adopted as per a recommendation made by Diestler, to allow the Colchester State Bank to utilize the city’s Market St. lot as a mobile banking location in the event of an emergency, such as a fire.

The resolution would require the bank to provide advance notice to the city as well as compensation for use of the lot, but would allow the bank to continue business with a minimal delay through the use of off-site data backups.

The council also approved the printing and distribution of the annual Consumer Confidence Report, and the adoption of the annual appropriations ordinance, water rate increase ordinance in accordance to the City of Macomb’s increased rates, and the annual prevailing wage ordinance.

Reach Nick Draper via email at ndraper@McDonoughVoice.com, or follow him on Twitter @nick_draper.